The Latest Breaking News from Coalition

Labor has committed A$690 million over four years to cut the maximum cost of medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to $25. The Coalition has matched the promise, which is estimated to save Australians $200 million a year.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton will promise in his Thursday budget reply that a Coalition government would immediately halve the fuel excise on petrol and diesel.

As the election starter’s gun is about to be fired, Tuesday’s budget announced modest income tax cuts as the government’s latest cost-of-living measure. The Coalition has opposed the tax relief, with Peter Dutton’s Thursday budget reply to put forward his policy counters on the cost of living.

Labor’s legislation passes the lower house without Coalition support

Caitlin Cassidy translates the prime minister’s use of gen Z phrases for Catie McLeod

Treasurer springs surprise with tax cuts and puts opposition on the defensive; Russia and Ukraine will ‘eliminate the use of force’ in area

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Opposition says Labor’s national vehicle emission standard is ‘poorly designed’, despite data showing uptick in green vehicle sales

Higher-than-expected revenue has put the economy in a stronger position than last year and is helping fund pre-election policies including tax cuts

Katy Gallagher says staffing increases are necessary and an ‘investment in the future’

Tax cuts are the centrepiece of the Albanese government’s cost-of-living budget bid for re-election in May. The surprise tax measures mean taxpayers will receive an extra tax cut of up to A$268 from July 1 next year and up to $536 every year from July 1 2027.